STANDBY

[noun] [C] [plural] standbys - something which is always ready for use, esp. if a regular one failsBoard games are a good standby to keep the children amused if the weather is bad.There are standby generators but these usually only have to work for a few hours a year during power cuts.See also stand by at stand (VERTICAL).When a person or a thing is on standby they are ready to be used if necessary.Hospitals are on standby ready to deal with casualties being flown in from the crash site.A standby (ticket) for a flight or a theatre is a cheap ticket sold just before the flight or the performance if there is a seat available.I'm sorry, there are no standbys left.